[Martin Luther King, Jr. and President Lyndon Johnson. LBJ Library photo taken on 12/3/1963 by Yoichi Okamoto in the Oval Office at the White House, W28-12.]

"Selma" Movie

Paramount Pictures recent release "Selma" depicts the brave campaign for voting rights, led by Martin Luther King, Jr. and waged in Alabama, a half a century ago.

In telling the story, the film portrays the relationship between Dr. King and President Johnson, suggesting that the two men were largely at odds over the effort in Selma. In fact, Dr. King and President Johnson were in accord over the need for voting rights.

Below is archival material that sheds light on the momentous partnership that Dr. King and President Johnson formed in the area of voting rights and on civil rights in general. Though the relationship was complicated, President Johnson encouraged Dr. King to show the worst of voting oppression so that Americans would demand an end to the injustice, just as Dr. King pointed out that opening up the African American vote in the Deep South would expand Johnson's voting base.

Telephone conversation between LBJ and MLK in which they plan strategy to pass a voting rights bill (Jan. 15, 1965)

February 9, 1965. LBJ and MLK met at the White House. The president pledged swift action on voting rights legislation. The previous week MLK and many others were arrested in Selma at a voting rights demonstration. Photo: Excerpt from President Johnson’s daily diary, 2/9/65. See the full day here.